Do I have to download Steam to play HL2?

[leo8877]

Hey all, I keep reading about needing to log into Steam to be able to register HL2.  Am I understanding this correctly?  Do I need to download Steam tonight to be able to play my game tomorrow?

[Jeff]

You might as well, if you don't, it will be installed from your retail CD's. Steam (and a Steam account) are required to activate the game. You might want to go ahead and get the account now, before the madness hits.